Underwear with pull tab

ABSTRACT

An under garment includes a waist band and a fabric body connected to the waist band and defining two leg openings. The fabric body defines a front portion for covering the front of a user&#39;s torso and a rear portion for covering a rear of the user&#39;s torso. A pull tab is connected to one of the front portion of the fabric body and the waist band so as to extend from a front, exterior side, of the under garment. The pull tab is preferably located such that it can be easily accessed by a user with their fly unzipped and the top button or clasp of their pants still engaged.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to underwear, and more particularly, to men's or boys underwear with a pull tab.

BACKGROUND

This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.

Typically, when males urinate standing up, they un-zip their pants, reach through the unzipped fly, pull down their underwear, and urinate through the unzipped fly. Men with arthritis and other hand ailments can struggle with pulling their underwear out of the way. Boys also can struggle with pulling their underwear out of the way when they have to urinate. Furthermore, while pulling down their underwear, a male typically pinches the fabric of the underwear and can also sometimes pinch a hair in the pubic region that is pulled while he is pulling down the underwear. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a way to more easily move the underwear out of the way and without pulling on hairs when a male goes to urinate while standing up.

SUMMARY

This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

The present disclosure provides a pull tab on the front of male underwear that allows for the user to more easily pull the underwear out of the way when they urinate standing up. A male undergarment, according to the present disclosure, includes a waist band and a fabric body connected to the waist band and defining two leg openings. The fabric body defines a front portion for covering the front of a male torso and a rear portion for covering a rear of the male torso. A pull tab is connected to one of the front portions of the fabric body and the waist band so as to extend from a front, exterior side, of the undergarment. The pull tab is preferably located such that it can be easily accessed by a user with their fly unzipped and the top button or clasp of their pants still engaged.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a front plan view of an exemplary pair of underwear with a loop-type pull tab according to the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a front plan view of an exemplary pair of underwear with a tag-type pull tab according to the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a front plan view of an exemplary pair of underwear with a horizontal band-type pull tab according to the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a front plan view of an exemplary pair of underwear with a horizontal band-type pull tab according to the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a front plan view of an exemplary pair of underwear with a vertical band-type pull tab according to the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a front plan view of an exemplary pair of underwear with a tag-type pull tab having an aperture according to the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a front plan view of an exemplary pair of underwear with a vertically connected tag-type pull tab according to the principles of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 8 is a front plan view of an exemplary pair of underwear with a loop-type pull tab according to the principles of the present disclosure.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings.

With reference to FIG. 1, a male undergarment 10 is shown including a waist band 12 and a body portion 14 connected to the waist band 12. The body portion 14 includes a front portion adapted to cover a man's front torso and a rear portion adapted to cover a man's rear torso. The body portion 14 defines a pair of leg openings 16 adapted to receive a man's legs therethrough. As shown in FIG. 1, a loop-type tab 20 is connected to the undergarment 10 so as to extend from a front, exterior side, of the undergarment 10. With regard to the present disclosure, a tab is intended to refer to a small flap or strip of material attached to or projecting from the front portion of the undergarment that is used to pull on or manipulate the undergarment 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the tab 20 can be an elongated strip of fabric or other material such as string, rubber, leather, plastic or other suitable material that include two ends 22 that are sewn or otherwise between the front portion of the fabric body 14 and the waist band 12. Alternatively, the tab 20 can be sewn or otherwise connected directly to the waist band 12 or directly to the front portion of the fabric body 14. The loop-type tab 20 of FIG. 1 can be folded over on itself at one or more locations 20 a, 20 b to create a cradle portion 24 or other twist for receiving a user's finger or thumb. It is noted that a single fold over location 20 a could be used to create a V-shape that also defines a cradle as shown in FIG. 8. For exemplary purposes only, FIG. 1 shows the tag-type tab 20 on a pair of boxer briefs. It should be understood that the tab 20 can be used on other styles of male undergarment as well.

According to an alternative embodiment as shown in FIG. 2, the tab 120 can be a tag-type tab that can be sewn or otherwise connected along its top edge 122 between the front portion of the fabric body 14 and the waist band 12. The tag-type tab 120 of FIG. 2 can be folded in half, typical of a tag on the back of a neck of a T-shirt. Alternatively, the tab 120 can be sewn or otherwise connected directly to the waist band 12 or directly to the front portion of the fabric body 14. The tab 120 can extend downward from its upper mounting edge by a distance of at least one inch to allow the tab 120 to be easily grasped by a user. The tag-type tab 120 of FIG. 2 can be alternatively be made from leather, rubber, plastic, or other suitable material. For exemplary purposed only, FIG. 2 shows the tag-type tab 120 on a pair of briefs. It should be understood that the tab 120 can be used on other styles of male undergarment as well.

According to an alternative embodiment as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the tab 220 can be a horizontal band-type tab that can be sewn or otherwise connected along its end edges 222 to the front portion of the fabric body 14 below the waistband 12. The horizontal band-type tab 220 of FIGS. 3 and 4 can be a long piece of fabric, string, leather, rubber, plastic or other suitable strip material. The horizontal band-type tab 220 can be located approximately one to two inches below the waistband 12 to be easily grasped or hooked onto by a user's fingers. For exemplary purposes only, FIGS. 3 and 4 show the horizontal band-type tab 220 on a pair of boxer shorts (FIG. 3) and a pair of boxer briefs (FIG. 4). It should be understood that the tab 220 can be used on other styles of male undergarment as well.

According to an alternative embodiment as shown in FIG. 5, the tab 320 can be a vertical band-type tab that can be sewn or otherwise connected along its end edges 322 one of the waist band 12 and/or the front portion of the fabric body 14 below the waist band 12. The vertical band-type tab 320 of FIG. 5 can be a long piece of fabric, string, leather, rubber, plastic or other suitable strip material. The vertical band-type tab 320 can extend generally from the waist band or just below the waist band at its upper end to at least one inch below the waist band 12 to be easily grasped or hooked onto by a user's fingers. According to another alternative, the vertical band-type tab 320 can optionally be connected only at its upper end so that its lower end is free hanging similar to the embodiment of FIG. 2. For exemplary purposes only, FIG. 5 shows the vertical band-type tab 320 on a pair of boxer briefs. It should be understood that the tab 320 can be used on other styles of male undergarments as well.

According to an alternative embodiment as shown in FIG. 6, the tab 420 can be a tag-type tab that can be sewn or otherwise connected along its top edge 422 between the front portion of the fabric body 14 and the waistband 12. The tab 420 of FIG. 6 includes an aperture 424 therein that can receive a user's finger so that the tab 420 can be easily hooked. The tag-type tab 420 of FIG. 6 can be folded in half, typical of a tag on a the back of neck of a T-shirt. Alternatively, the tab 420 can be sewn or otherwise connected directly to the waist band 12 or directly to the front portion of the fabric body 14. The tab 420 can extend downward from its upper mounting edge 422 by a distance of at least one inch to allow the tab 420 to be easily grasped or hooked by a user. The tag-type tab 420 of FIG. 6 can be alternatively be made from leather, rubber, plastic, or other suitable material. For exemplary purposes only, FIG. 6 shows the tag-type tab 420 on a pair of briefs. It should be understood that the tab 420 can be used on other styles of male undergarments as well.

According to an alternative embodiment as shown in FIG. 7, the tab 520 can be a tag-type tab that can be sewn or otherwise connected along its side edge 522 to the front portion of the fabric body 14. The tag-type tab 520 of FIG. 7 can be folded in half, typical of a tag on the back of a neck of a T-shirt. The tab 520 can extend downward from the waist band 12 by a distance of at least one inch to allow the tab 120 to be easily grasped by a user. The tag-type tab 520 of FIG. 7 can be alternatively be made from fabric, leather, rubber, plastic, or other suitable material. For exemplary purposes only, FIG. 2 shows the tag-type tab 520 on a pair of boxer briefs. It should be understood that the tab 520 can be used on other styles of male undergarments as well.

It is noted that in each of the above embodiments, the pull tab 20, 120, 220, 320, 420, 520 can include branding or other indicia thereon. The pull tab 20, 120, 220, 320, 420, 520 is preferably located such that it can be easily accessed by a user with their zipper unzipped and the top button or clasp of their pants still engaged. This location is generally from zero to three inches below a waist band although the distance may vary based upon the undergarment design. In addition, the pull tab of the present disclosure can be connected to a top, bottom or middle portion of the waist band or to the fabric body in order to provide an appropriate level of access to the pull tab and control and manipulation of the undergarment.

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.

Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.

When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. 

1. An undergarment, comprising; a waist band; a fabric body connected to the waist band and defining two leg openings, the fabric body defining a front portion for covering the front of a user's torso and a rear portion for covering a rear of the user's torso; and a pull tab sewn directly to and between each of the front portion of the fabric body and the waist band and extending from a front, exterior side, of the undergarment below the waistband.
 2. (canceled)
 3. (canceled)
 4. The undergarment according to claim 1, wherein the pull tab is formed from fabric.
 5. The undergarment according to claim 1, wherein the pull tab is an elongated strip of material and includes opposite ends sewn to the at least one of the front portion of the fabric body and the waist band.
 6. The undergarment according to claim 5, wherein the elongated strip of material is folded over on itself at least once to form a twist.
 7. The undergarment according to claim 5, wherein the elongated strip of material is folded over on itself at at least two locations to form a cradle. 8-15. (canceled)
 16. The undergarment according to claim 1, wherein the pull tab is V-shaped.
 17. An undergarment, comprising; a waist band; a fabric body connected to the waist band and defining two leg openings, the fabric body defining a front portion for covering the front of a user's torso and a rear portion for covering a rear of the user's torso; and a pull tab connected to at least one of the front portion of the fabric body and the waist band so as to extend from a front, exterior side, of the undergarment, wherein the pull tab is an elongated strip of material and includes opposite ends sewn to the waist band at laterally spaced locations with an intermediate portion of the elongated strip of material extending away from the waist band.
 18. The undergarment according to claim 17, wherein the elongated strip of material has at least one fold to form a twist.
 19. An undergarment, comprising; a waist band; a fabric body connected to the waist band and defining two leg openings, the fabric body defining a front portion for covering the front of a user's torso and a rear portion for covering a rear of the user's torso; and a pull tab connected to at least one of the front portion of the fabric body and the waist band so as to extend from a front, exterior side, of the undergarment, wherein the pull tab is an elongated strip of material and includes opposite ends sewn to the at least one of the front portion of the fabric body and the waist band at laterally spaced locations, wherein the elongated strip of material has a first fold at a first intermediate location and a second fold at a second intermediate location to form a cradle.
 20. (canceled) 